News - Soap Buzz

189
June 25th, 2014
Erika Slezak Talks Prospect Park, If She Would Play A Role On GH, And Life After OLTL!

Courtesy/ABC

It is always great to hear from six-time Daytime Emmy winner, Erika Slezak ! And now in a new interview exclusively on her website via her long time fan club president Walter Miller, the most legendary star of One Life to Live shares her thoughts on went happened to the online revival of OLTL, the lawsuit involving Prospect Park, if she would like to work at General Hospital with former One Life EP Frank Valentini, and what it has been like for her trying to find work as an actress post-Viki! Here are a few excerpts below!

Erika on what the last year has been like for her and her thoughts on the end of One Life to Live’s online reboot: “I have good days and bad days. I’m never unhappy, but I would very much like to go back to work. Last year when the Prospect Park thing happened, I was very happy, and then it all fell apart. I want to applaud Prospect Park. They really tried. I think they wanted it to succeed, but it was a new audience for them, and a different venue. In order to get the daytime audience to watch online, they needed to give them daytime, and they weren’t. They were trying to change it up and do something our audience was simply not used to. But it may have been too much music, too much loud music, too many new characters (new actors playing existing characters), whom they focused on immediately. Maybe less traditional, and it became a problem. But they really tried, and I commend them for that.”

Erika addressing published reports that she is mentioned in the Prospect Park lawsuit claiming the company owes her money: “Yes, but they owe ABC a lot more than they owe me. They owe the company that provided all of the lights and cameras, as they had rented all of that from them. They owe the studio too. Well, they just owe a lot of money in a lot of places. That’s not to say that they won’t pay it, but they are going to have to come up with some money.”

Erika on if she would be up for playing a role on General Hospital (since for legal reasons it would seem she can’t play Viki at this point) or play a role on another soap: “It would depend entirely on the role, but I would happily work on any thing – and yes, I would love to work for Frank again. He’s an awesome man and a wonderful producer.”

Erika on auditioning again and how it has been going: “I’ve auditioned for a bunch of things, and in each case they said the audition was wonderful, and the producers and directors loved me, but they had someone else in mind from the start. So, that happens. My agent said that we are going to have to find a producer who is a good friend of mine, who has ME in mind for a part from the START. Of course, I’m joking! But that’s what happens, you know. People have worked with other people over the years, and they see a role and say, ‘My friend would be great for this,’ but according to the union, they have to see people audition for it, and they do. But in the meantime, I’ve been able to meet a lot of interesting, talented casting directors, and directors, and producers, which has been very good for me. Hopefully, something will come out of that.”

So what do you think about Erika’s comments on Prospect Park and the end of OLTL? Missing her on the soaps? Would you like to see Frank Valentini give Erika a role on General Hospital? Do you hope at some point the legal issues would be worked so that the character of OLTL’s Viki could show up in Port Charles? Share your comments below!

I’ve never seen Erika Slezak on anything other than OLTL and I loved her as Vicki. She exuded warmth, and sass…she’s was everybody’s mom if need be…she was loving wife and wonderful friend. You always felt like you were “home” when you were in Vicki’s living room or kitchen.

With that said I’m not sure about her acting! LOL. I know that’s a contradiction but there was a certain shrill to her voice…a clucking of the tongue…an over-exaggeration that I’m not sure would work in any other role. I accepted it because that’s how I knew “Vicki.”

I wish her well and of course we be interested in seeing her on something else. i reserve judgment til then…

Rebecca, I think Erika Slezak got tired of her role as Viki towards the latter years. She had been playing it for so long and she only truly shined when she was playing the alters. Much like Elizabeth Montgomery on Bewitched, who got tired of playing Samantha and really shined when they gave her Serena, playing the same role day after day after day can probably wear you down.

Also, writers start to write for the personalities of the actors after awhile and over the years she morphed into a very patrician figure. I still remember when she was playing the young daughter of Victor Lord!

I have seen her play other roles but most roles today are cast on the actor’s personality more than the role. I wish her luck but the acting business has just gotten tougher and she’s been out of the audition pool for so long that many casting directors probably don’t know what to do for her. She’s right. Someone needs to have her in mind for a role before she gets cast.

Haha..interesting comparison with Elizabeth Montgomery but I actually thought she was quite a good actress in whatever role she took on. A “natural.” She probably would have made a great soap actress!

I think Erika and Robin Strasser were both a bit over-the-top…again…for me, it worked on OLTL as characters I grew to love…moreso “Vicki.” As said she just exuded warmth and sincerity…and though she led an erratic up/down multiple personality life, her core character was the epitome of stability. The one time I was truly disappointed in her character was her almost abandonment of Trevor’s Todd when Roger’s Todd came back. But I digress!

I still feel she tends to “over act.” As does Robin and Susan Lucci. They’re almost caricatures of a soap actor. I much prefer the understated Kelly Monaco and Michael Easton type of acting. Though some have criticized them as monotone or just tooooo soft-spoken, I find more realism in that style.

Who’s Laura/Bill/Kate…are they GH characters and should I be FREAKING OUT that I have no idea who they are…and what’s with my memory!!!!!???? Ahem. Or, are they from another show…

jimh(leave it to beaver) replied June 25th, 2014 at 6:03 pm

Bill/Laura/Kate are from Days Of Our Lives which i mention a few posts below…Me thinks David might of meant that reply for me?

thats just like seeing Susan Lucci on GH as someone else I dont think i could get use to it she played Erica for 40 years just like Viki. would be weird to see them play some one else on another soap we love.

Denise…yep. That’s the double-edged sword for the soap actor. On the one hand they have steady work/paychecks (particularly before the sad decline in viewership of the genre and the subsequent cancellations) but on the other hand if they stay with a character for so many years it is difficult for them to break out. I think for both the casting director who needs to envision him/her in another role…and for the daytime fan of that actor. But thank goodness so many of them do stay the course…which is why we feel like we know these fictitious people and enter their worlds…

Now though, so many are out of work and I bet they’re just waiting for a part to open up on a remaining soap. I’m sure it’s tough…

A Danielle Steele book to movie: “A young woman, traumatized by rape at an early age, slowly learns to trust and love again as she struggles to avoid repeating her mother’s mistakes….”

Erika plays the mother, Jean Roberts…. but she has played Viki for so long, I couldn’t help but think of her as Viki or some alter of Viki’s on this movie as I watched her. And she is the only reason I watched this movie!

looks like she played one other role in 2001, Nick’s mother on Special Unit 2, tv show I’ve never heard of.

Other than that, she’s been Viki. That was the best recast in TV history in my mind! Not that the first Viki was bad, but you know replacements don’t always last.

Thanks, Christy…I tried to see if Full Circle was on hulu or youtube…couldn’t find it. Would’ve been interesting to see ES as someone else.

jimh(leave it to beaver) replied June 26th, 2014 at 7:03 pm

Did you know Full Circle was also the title of a short lived CBS daytime soap in the early 1960s and starred actress Dyan Cannon before she hit it big in movies? I believe this serial didnt last a year!!!

rebecca1 replied June 26th, 2014 at 11:21 pm

Hey jimh…(by the way, I think it’s hilarious how exact we all tend to me when addressing each other with our Michael Fairman “names”…

After you mentioned Dyan Cannon I realized that Bree Williamson (Jessica/OLTL) bares a resemblance to Dyan’s younger self. What say you…

Christy replied June 26th, 2014 at 10:17 pm

Hey Rebecca1, you were asking about the Full Circle movie to watch, other than library or other rental places, you can watch it on dvd.Netflix.com or purchase it on amazon ($9.36-12.98)

I believe I saw it shown on Lifetime… and I see here it was voted as one of 50 most ridiculous movies on Lifetime. te he he I do remember it wasn’t a great movie, but I really just wanted to watch Erika. Those Danielle Steele deals aren’t my things! She needs to be on CSI or NCIS or Criminal Minds! t

Hey Rebecca1, you were asking about the Full Circle movie to watch, other than library or other rental places, you can watch it on dvd.Netflix.com or purchase it on amazon ($9.36-12.98)

I believe I saw it shown on Lifetime… and I see here it was voted as one of 50 most ridiculous movies on Lifetime. te he he I do remember it wasn’t a great movie, but I really just wanted to watch Erika. Those Danielle Steele deals aren’t my things! She needs to be on CSI or NCIS or Criminal Minds!

If days she should play Laura and Jerry Ver Dorn as husband Bill…Bill and Kate were lovers and Lucas is Bills son…show hasnt been the same without Tom and Alice and Bill and Laura could easily fill their shoes with some angst coming in the form of Kate who once again finds herself drawn to Bill!!!

Yes, that is a wonderful idea– I would love to see that, but unfortunately I heard the EP at Y&R doesn’t like older women in roles, so I doubt if they would create that role, let alone cast this vet of daytime in it.

As much as i like JLB who played Laura on Days, i would love seeing Erika and Jerry Ver Dorn reunited on Days as Laura and Bill Horton….Lauren K.(Kate) needs more story than this boring Rafe/Jordan storyline and a Laura/Kate feud would be somewhat similiar to Viki/Dorian feud on OLTL…on GH she could come to town as a long lost Quartimaine…a sister Edward never mentioned for many possible reasons but not as Viki Lord unless Roger is playing Todd again…maybe she could even play Julians mother or someone connected to Felicia???

I agree with the other part she said…that they tried to change it up and the audience wasn’t watching for that. Though I commend Prospect Park for the effort they made, they thought they’d grab the audience and expand it to younger viewers by completely changing the stories (at least on OLTL) and that version was not the version we lost. I, for one, didn’t like what they did with it. I found no connection to new OR old characters…it was a show completely removed from the one on ABC.

I think had they been able to act quicker…get most of the original cast…and picked up the stories where they left off they’d have been succesful. While the number of viewers were no longer lucrative for ABC to produce on TV…those same numbers would have probably brought them a profit. And, for those curious about the online format…they might have even added more eyes and eventually segued some new material into the old.

I wouldve liked the first scene of the reboot OLTL take place at Asas mansion where baby Drew was born…Bo, Nora, Destiny, Mathew, Shaun and little Drew have gathered there to celebrate little Drews first birthday…Clint and Viki also there and announce they have set a wedding date…their wedding if done right could have brought in good ratings, especially if Dorian interupted it or this is where Victor showed up alive…Victors return was such a letdown…they shouldve found a way to convince Trevor St. John to do more episodes…and write his return more believable and a little more suspenseful…too late now!!!

rebecca1 replied June 26th, 2014 at 6:34 pm

yes jimh…that ship has sailed. but I think most of us were completely blown away by the lack of reaction by ANY character other than Dani when Victor returned. It was beyond ridiculous. Honestly? I hated the entire reboot. Just played it online to support the genre…but I thought it was horrendous. There was nothing familiar about it…even the ABC/OLTL actors who were onboard seemed foreign. I would rather it remained a memory than morphed into those unrecognizable episodes…

jimh(leave it to beaver) replied June 27th, 2014 at 10:04 am

Me too rebecca1, i watched the reboot too and hoped it would succeed but it just didnt click with me as well…the Cosbylike dance opening was awful and they concentrated too much with the cursing and sex stuff thinking thats all they needed to attract more viewers ,which some i couldve overlooked had the storyline been more engaging…it did started to improve near the end but it was a little too late!…i just wish American writers and producers would take lessons from the British…i love Coronation Street with its more down to earth realistic storylines and humor…very little sex and cursing on this show proves its not needed to make a show a hit with audiences young and old…just great stories!!!

Christy replied June 27th, 2014 at 7:25 pm

Me too. Too much on the matthew group, WAY TOO much Shelter. And ever did they think that Destiny would look like the other one all grown up! Ha!

That no response or explanation on Victor… and the worst place to leave the series on that horrible scream … worst acting I have ever seen that gal do. I am sure someone directed her to do it that way… so how the hell did they win Best Directing team???

Only the stuff with Todd and Blair, Todd and Vicki seemed like the old days.

No, I disagree. Helena was very European, very pretentious & overly cosmopolitan. Erika Slezak & Vicki Lord always seemed very American, salt-of-the-earth & unpretentious to me. Robin Strasser is more in the mold of Helena Cassadine. That said, I think Ms. Slezak should go against type & try for a role as a villain or “conniving crime person of the week” on something like THE BLACKLIST or THE GOOD WIFE. Dianne Wiest was just on BLACKLIST & was fantastic.

jimh(leave it to beaver) replied June 25th, 2014 at 5:06 pm

Me think Robin Strasser would make a great Helene Cassidine!!!

SUSAN M. replied June 27th, 2014 at 5:14 pm

I don’t know if I would like seeing Erika Slezak playing a mean nasty role.

I would love to see Erika come to General Hospital but not as Vicki. I’m not sure what would be the point of her coming to General Hospital as Vicki if Roger Howarth can’t play Todd Manning. I would want to see them interact as Vicki and Todd if she came back as Vicki and that just can’t happen for obvivious reasons. It would be great though to see Erika have a totally new character created just for her on General Hospital and knows maybe that new character could interact with Franco in some way.

God, no. No more OLTL characters on GH. Look what RC did to those who came on originally – he wrecked them for the sake of plot! Then he worked to sabotage PP’s efforts to revive the serial. The GH cast is way to big and bloated as it is. Bring back OLTL – even if it is just in a half hour format. These characters belong on OLTL, in Llanview, among other characters with which they have actually history and connections, not thrown together on GH because Ron and Frank want control over every soap character and actor who ever was.

What will one more character do? I think it would work out..I watch Gh and I wouldn’t bother me in the least. Erika Slezak is the best in my book…

Christy replied June 27th, 2014 at 7:36 pm

“Olivia” actress came from OLTL too. I don’t think ABC can use characters from OLTL or AMC but Erika would be a GH character. I loved when they could do crossovers, like Skye Chandler on 3 soaps, but can only do GH people now I guess…. unless she could be a relative of Anglique or Barnabas! DS

I wish OLTL fans would stop looking at GH as a vehicle to prolong the existence of their defunct soap. GH has had its own stories, characters & history for 50 years. Yes, it’s sad what happened to OLTL. But, enough already! Maybe hiring the former OLTL exec producer & writer gave them false hope that OLTL could just be transferred over in some form. But, frankly, it gets annoying that people insist on making GH into Llanview 2.0 because they can’t let go. You don’t read about AMC fans pushing Erica Kane & Tad Martin on to GH. OLTL is over, Lifers. Just move on & stop sounding so bitter.

KansasGuest
Wow that was harsh. Oltl fans were bitter and can you blame us with all the bs that happened? I will say one thing you can’t deny that GH has been better with all of the oltl influence writer producer and actors which in turn saved the show from cancelation. But one day it will happen its inevitable.

I was just thinking about Erika the other day, missing hearing her name in the best actress category. Years ago, several years ago, I would watch Another World and my grandmother would watch OLTL, so it wasn’t until the reboot, where I began to watch OLTL thanks to PP, and I loved, loved, loved and adored Erika and her work, wow what a classic performer. I hope to see her in daytime once again, I’d welcome her to GH, obviously, or Days. Maybe she can be a long lost Cassidine, or a Quartermaine…Lila’s long lost daughter from a previous marriage or, something shocking and scandalous. Erika and Jane Elliot would be amaze-balls together.

Seriously??? Is there a question as to bringing her onto GH?? Frank and Ron have an opportunity to create what they did for Maura West, another complex character FILLED with so many levels and so interesting to watch! Bringing Ms. Slezak on would be a HUGE koo for the show! She could be ANYONE! It’s about time this woman goes back to work!

She could certainly be anyone, but why not Viki Lord? I stopped watching GH because one cast member seriously creeps me out, but I’d watch daily if she were on. (Very happy Ilene Kristen is on—how about David Vickers, too? Tuc Watkins could bring some much needed laughs to the show, but now I’m off-topic.)

I agree with Sue M. GH is has way too of a cast as it is. And it’s NOT One Life to Life. I want to see my OLTL family in Llanview, not Port Charles. I’ll take it back anyway I can get it…..on tv, online, half hour, hour….whatever!

I just really hope this mess gets resolved soon and the show can be brought back in some form, with many of the former cast reprising their roles. Some have moved on for now but by the time the lawsuit is settled and things get in order, some of those actors may be available again. It may be a pipedream but…..here’s to hoping.

Well I watched OLTL since the first day it started with my Mom.. OLTL will always be my #1 favorite soap of all time. I watch GH and wouldn’t mind seeing Ms. Slezak on it.. She is so talented and a class act..

I love Erika Slezak and miss her so very much. I miss OLTL and all those wonderful characters and actors every day. I’m glad she acknowledged Prospect Park. They tried and, from where I sit, they wanted their production to succeed. At this point, I really don’t care who does it. Someone, please bring us our OLTL.

I hope she knows how much she is missed by thousands of people every day, who’d watch anything and everything she is a part of. GENERAL HOSPITAL could really use a “fresh new face” and I see no reason why Victoria Lord couldn’t move to Port Charles with as many family members and friends as possible. (The cast and characters on OLTL are/were so much more interesting than those on GH.) Best of luck with everything.

I would absolutely watch anything that Erika Slezak is in. She is a top notch, classy woman and her acting is stellar. Wouldn’t it be wonderful if someone had the guts to create a new soap and bring back Erika Slezak, Jerry Ver Dorn, Victory Wyndham, Kim Zimmer, and Elizabeth Hubbard? Just to name a few.

Instead of online, why can’t a cable station pick up OLTL.? Cable is gaining over network and OLTL fans would watch. Look at some of the cable programs on the air now. There is an audience STILL for soap.

TV is has gone into 21st century of programming ..
The cable TV is near all R or X rated, the now generation do not about soaps nor want to waste their time waiting a year for a story ending, that is not how how they live or view media..
they are binge watchers and quick on and off..

The world has moved on programming wise since 1980 LOL

We are so blessed that daytime TV still invested in the soaps..
and they will need pick up new viewers on the internet to make a difference..

No network or cable network want the soaps!!
PP tried for a year to bring to cable, no takers..
When AMC and OLTL were canceled not one network or cable wanted them them, ABC could not sell them, nobody but Prospect Park would touch them ..

And for fans to keep on saying ”bring them back” it will never happen, never..
Nobody wants them, and that is the hard fact ..

A little harsh, su0000. It’s not that “nobody wants them back.” But rather that not enough people want them back for a cable company to justify investing all that money. When the OWN channel aired the relaunch, the ratings simply weren’t high enough. In comparison, when TNT relaunched DALLAS, the average viewers for its first season were near 4.5 million. Season 2 fell to a 2.84 million average. OLTL couldn’t even break 200,000 viewers in its OWN time slot last year.

I don’t agree that soaps aren’t wanted. The format seems to be developing into political, supernatural & strangely fairytale, themes. But, on the whole, some of the most popular shows on tv today fit all the soap conventions. REVENGE, SCANDAL, HOUSE OF CARDS, THE VAMPIRE DIARIES, NASHVILLE, ONCE UPON A TIME & MAD MEN are all soap operas when you look at the basic stories.

Michael (not Fairman) replied June 26th, 2014 at 6:45 pm

I am also not entirely sure anybody really knows WHAT the “now generation” wants in a television program. There’s been an assumption all along that they won’t watch a traditional soap, but since there hasn’t been a truly traditional soap the entire time they’ve been alive (and by that I mean: since circa 1990, the soaps haven’t been traditional soaps, but some strange hybrid creation in which network executives kept trying to change them to attract more younger viewers, resulting in a product that wasn’t likely to appeal to anybody, young people included, and that certainly hasn’t been a traditional soap), I think it’s hard to be sure. I think it’s a case of people repeating what “everybody knows” for so long that now it’s just accepted as the truth.

I am so sick and tired of all this talk about the OLTL characters there are 3 ex OLTL actors on GH already. How about ABC looking at the other soap actors they had on All My Children. Like Ryan, Cameron Mathison,, Greenlee Rebecca Budig etc. Come on ABC where are they. Enough of the ex CBS stars let’s use your own people. Anyone else agree with me. I so miss AMC so much.

I love Erika, but they barely use Ilene Kristen since they brought her in. It seems every time they add someone to GH, so many selfish GH fans flip out about airtime for who is on back burner status. I see their point, however I also want my OLTL & AMC stars employed again, on TV where I can enjoy watching them! Stars like Sonya, need much more airtime & Rick needs to be brought back permanently!

That’s my point! She should be considered for a contract, before bringing on new people never on yet! I love ES, but making a point about the huge canvas. Yes, she just got done filming more scenes & very happy. I do talk to her. Also, @Ron is a man of his word, & personally promised me looking into my eyes, at the OLTL goodbye on The View set, he will try to bring over everyone, BUT all in time, so as not to offend GH fans or overwhelm anyone who feels like it was a take over. No doubt he will bring in ES when he is ready. He would like to please everyone, but nobody can do that.

If there is any chance to bring Erika to the GH canvas in any role, that would be incredible. I know GH has a pretty full plate, but there seems to always be room for a new character here and there. As someone else mentioned, Maura West’s character has fit in beautifully. It’s such a shame that the OLTL and AMC reboots did not work out because there was such promise. I think ABC should think about the fact that we have an over abundance of talk shows and people are tired of these. It’s time to redefine daytime to be what the audience wants- more scripted shows!! They do exceptionally well in prime time and will do well in daytime. Certainly with DVR’s, On Demand and other ways to watch TV, the audience will be responsive.

We’ll If he can bring Viki to GH (which I’d love) how come horrible Franco can’t be Todd again.
I so can’t get use to Franco & Carly so I Fast forward all there scenes. Don’t care for Frsnco so I FF allllllll his scenes which is sad be star I love Rodger

This board is out of control with the Vicki comments. She cannot come to GH as VIcki. They are in a legal battle. No Todd, John McBain, Starr, Vicki or any OLTL characters. The actors? Yes…their characters…no, not at this time.

Yes, you are correct about ES can never beig on GH as Vicki, but I think you’re wrong to say this board is out of control about Vicki comments. Some don’t know her real name & just implying she should be on another show. I get frustrated when people claim to be fans, but use only the character name, & don’t know the real name. It’s life though. People don’t mean disrespect by it, they just only know the character.

rebecca1 replied June 25th, 2014 at 8:32 pm

No Tammy…you misunderstood me. I meant out of control in that quite a few were suggesting that her character Vicki join GH. Was trying to clarify that couldn’t happen at this time…Perhaps you’re right. I’ll have to go back and read the comments but I’m pretty sure most people who post here know the actor’s real names vs character names.

I am an internet type person.. and I can say;
the openings of both AMC and OLTL was a total turn off for internet people..
It was lame lame lame for the internet..
The OLTL open with dancing thing was horrible for the internet..
The show is judged by new viewers in the first minute or less as to if it worth a look-see, and the openings were awful old fashioned lame, a huge turn-off..

PP need a needed an younger audience, the old regulars could not support the shows by themselves both soaps needed ”internet” viewers and they are the young peoples, and they do like get excited over soaps..
It is without a doubt a huge difference between inter and network TV, and PP feel very short on the internet side..

A traditional soap opera and the uncensored internet is a horrible combination..

And the internet peoples watch programming very differently than people how watch network tv..

The only place traditional soaps will survive is on cable/TV and by holding onto the vet viewers..

With the ongoing lawsuits, I don’t think we’ll be seeing any OLTL characters on GH. While I would love to see Vicki again, she presently has no connection to PC. Would love to see Ms. Slezak play the opposite of Vicki, like a Helena Cassadine but I’d never want to lose Constance Towers!

Would enjoy Miss Slezak in any role, but I am not sure I want Viki Lord on GH but I would love her in a new role. She is a class act and deserves opportunities worthy of her talent and stature in the business. I would love to see her on Broadway or in a leading regional theater production (Williamstown?). She is amazing. Youngers should take lessons from her.

I’ve always felt Erika Slezak holds a strong physiological resemblance to Susan Flannery and would have made a great long lost fraternal twin sister to (the late) Stephanie. Slezak’s presence on B&B would shore up a lot of the void left by that other daytime giant (Flannery). Besides, she could remain living in the Tri-State area and coordinate flights alongside Thorsten Kaye.

Gabrielle Pascal was Eves mother but i forgot what happen to her…i always thought she was killed off but im not sure…i think Eve will destroy Paiges relationship with J.J. by claiming Jack is Paiges father just to hurt Jennifer but i still believe Frankie Brady is her real father…also hope Ben and Jordan are also Eves children!!!

I feel ABC made a gigantic mistake taking OLTL off the air. CBS has been loyal to their fans and even show their two soaps at night on a channel that all their viewers with basic cable can watch if they missed it in the morning. Apparently they can afford shows that bring them alot of revenue. Obviously CBS is like all the big corparations that only want massive profits. So therefore you play all these stupid reality shows. I stopped watching your channel the minute you cancelled OLTL and AMC. I am loyal to CBS because they have stuck with the soap audience and second because they have the best shows on T.V.

OMG I so agree with you about those STUPID, GIVING PEOPLE A (BAD) REASON TO BEHAVE BADLY, REALITY SHOWS! I absolutely refuse to watch them and don’t get the whole popularity thing of why people watch them. You wanna see people behave badly, go hang out on a street corner in a questionable neighborhood. After a week of that you should have your fill of those kinds of shows. I digress…sorry. I am loyal to MY SHOWS and have NO NETWORK LOYALTY whatsoever. If there’s crapola on the air, I won’t be watching it–no matter what network its on.

I’ve started watching OLTL from it’s start, and have always had a soft spot for Erika especially knowing she was the daughter of the great Walter Slezak. I would love to see Erika cast as Franco’s Sister, Aunt, or anyone who shared a positive family tie with him. Those two had some of the best chemistry I’ve ever seen on OLTL and most other soaps I’ve ever watched. Back in the year 2002 or 2003 there was a hilarious special segment that was broadcast which I still have on old vhs tape-. It is the one where all the actors portrayed the character of the actor they generally played off of. So Erika was Todd Manning and Roger was Vicki and so on. The whole special was hysterical (I laughed so hard I had tears) and their portrayals of one another’s characters as well as each other (mannerisms, vocal patterns, physical stances were spot on- In my opinion it is an unforgettable highlight in the soap’s history. Since Franco has no family ties other than his Mother (whom we last saw played by Betsy Franco , James Franco’s real life Mom) the only other tie is ex -Ava Jerome and his non daughter Kiki, Erika would be just what the Doctor ordered.

I would love to see Erika join GH. She would bring a lot to it. I certainly miss her and her character of Viki but I would enjoy seeing her even if she were a new character! Good luck Erika; miss you and hope you and your family are well and happy!!!

Here’s what I think….if the rumors are true that James Franco is returning as FRANCO & RH isn’t really Franco they would have to give him a whole new background and I think Erika being either his mother OR sister would be great, they’ve always had great chemistry

I would gladly welcome Erika Slezak to GH, if they could create a compelling character and story for her. My way of looking at things, I enjoy seeing good actors and actresses on the show I watch, and I don’t care what show they were previously on. That means nothing to me. If it benefits GH and makes the show better, I’m down for anything. Erika is certainly one of the all-time greats. You don’t win as many Emmys as she did by accident.

I absolutely adore Ericka Slezak and miss her on ABC and Prospect Park. I can think of 2 shows that come on directly following GH that need to be off the air. Millionaire is not interesting anymore–I’d rather watch Jeopardy; and the other one “Let’s Ask America.” They need to go and are annoying. OLTL could easily replace either of those shows and get better ratings, yes, even in that time slot. I miss the old gang and have yet to watch any other soap that I wasn’t already watching. I still watch GH but haven’t switched networks just for the sake of watching a soap… I want MY soaps back on OLTL and AMC. And that….is “only my 2 cents:”

I must be psychic, I just commented how I missed Erika Selzak’s class on your Daytime Emmy thread and actually went over to her site to see nothing yet new. Thanks for the heads up about a fresh interview, just posted. She is sorely missed, I’m sorry if I ever took her for granted, and as she once said about Ms. Strasser’s pending return to “One Life,” in regard to “G H,” “Give her (this time Slezak) anything she wants!” Much respect to this Great Lady who I hope to see soon.

PS. if “Vicki” can’t come back to GH, I’d like to see Erika play Maeve Ryan in scenes with Ilene Kristen’s “Deliah.” She could use that little accent or not, a dark wig or not, it could be brief, until contractually “Vicki” would be allowed.

While I’ve watched ES since the 80′s and enjoyed her on OLTL, GH doesn’t need any more new characters when we rarely get to see Monica, Lucy, Felicia, Mac, Scott, Kevin, Bobbie, Heather, etc…the actual vet characters of the show. I have no problem with occasional new characters, but by continuously bringing on new characters and focusing on their introductions and storylines with other newer characters, the show continues to move away from being General Hospital. The show has a HUGE cast of contract and recurring characters as it is. I also do not believe that GH needs to be the supplier of jobs for all of the other cancelled soaps’ actors. Obviously, GH has continued to do some things right throughout the years (for better or worse) which has helped it to remain on the air. So I prefer that we try to keep it GH which also means continuing to honor the history of the show in a way that is representative of what the show has been about over the past 50 years.

I would have liked to see OLTL be put back in its original time spot, BUT I did feel it lost allot when it changed up the characters, the music etc… it was a completely different format as to the show that was on ABC for years. Maybe she could do broadway or movie of the week. I wish her much luck in whatever she tries next or not.

I always love hearing from Erika Slezak, she’s a gem!!! That being said though, frankly she deserves better than to be recycled onto the current canvas that is General Hospital. The show is nothing but repetitive stories and is so predictable. Think back to when One Life to Live first went off the air on ABC, immediately all they did was send a handful of Llanview favorites over to General Hospital and before our eyes we saw GH become OLTL 2.0

I mean all of a sudden Connie has D.I.D. (well that sure came out of nowhere lol.) They essentially took OLTL’s greatest hits and injected them into GH. Fast forward to where the SOAP currently is today and look at the remaining OLTL characters on the show. They all are playing the exact same people they were on OLTL but just have different names. Silas is the same brooding damaged man that John was. Instead of a cop saving lives, he’s a doctor lol. Then you’ve got Franco who is the same sociopath that Todd was. Instead of being traumatized by his father’s neglect he had a brain tumor that “made” him do these heinous crimes and murder. They’re virtually the same too. Oh and let’s not forget Kiki (who of course can sing) hmmm just like Starr lol. Then ABC got greedy because let’s face it they realize they f*cked up when they axed OLTL and wanted the characters back only to destroy the storylines that existed by causing all this chaos with lawsuits and so killed off half of a beautiful family and we all know what happened after that. Anyway Erika deserves better than having to be thrown into the mess that is the mess of Port Charles.

I was not surprised when ABC canceled the two soaps, ratings had fallen significantly over the years and production costs were high. The entertainment business is an industry and not a philanthropic venture. Soap fans have died out, aged out and lost interest in dated formats like soap operas. Soaps were always a niche market. The world evolved and the niche market grew smaller and smaller. Most former viewers like myself have long accepted the demise of these shows, my good memories are from 25 or 30 years ago but I am over it.

I could see Ms .S. Coming to Days……with J., I think if they could bring back the familiar characters of Bill and Laura H, that e already know and love, or Marlena ‘s sister, perhaps it would work. General Hospital has too, too, many characters, who have too, many “Six Degrees of Seperation” and it’s too much, the script is clearly,the writing isn’t working there, putting new actors, with old faces of actors from other shows, to generate a new audience, more people for me isn’t working. Michelle S……and double acting Luke, isn’t going to bring in viewers. I am again sick of the mob life, and I don’t see Erika S.coming into something like this at all, unless she is a Quartermaine!!!!! Edwards sister ,but it still would come down to the writing. I don’t see the writing getting better, because the producer, director Frank…..is trying to do and be a Everyman,superman, and I just don’t see it in the stuff they put on the canvas,right now.

Oh Viki I miss you so much. I am still holding out hope for yet another reboot of OLTL – how about on a revamped ABC Daytime?

Anyway – it has been a pleasure watching Erica Slezak play the roles of Viki/Niki/and all those others too. Please ABC – get a hold of your senses and see that soap fans are loyal and will help to pay the bills.

I would like to see her on GH and hope they could create a character for her to play as she is one of the best daytime actresses in soapdom. I was happy when I heard that Kassie DePaiva was going to DOOL and thought I needed to start watching but it will be cancelled. I don’t want another disappointment as I am still missing AMC and OLTL so haven’t watched Days.

I love the idea of Erica being a Quartermaine. Tracy needs someone to spar with and fight over the Quartermaine holdings. She definitely could be Edward or Lila’s niece or half sister or as said before a child by another spouse or lover since the Quartermaines have been know to have a few children out there. The Quartermaines are one of “the” families of Port Charles and the writers have allowed them to melt away. Edward, Lila, Alan (bad mistake), Emily (another bad mistake), AJ (never one of my favorite characters but could have had many storylines) and of course Jason (who needs to come back and rescue San from boredom by Silas) by death either, natural or storyline. Dillon, Skye and Ned (thank goodness he is back and hopefully if the fauxLuke doesn’t kill him off will stay for a while). That only leaves Tracy, Monica (part-time) and Michael. They could definitely use some more family members AND bring back some of the others who are out there floating around. Even if Emily has departed this world they could bring back Rebecca Shaw and she and Nicholas could be together. Erica would be a great addition to the Quartermaine family. Maybe she and her brother (Alan’s look-a-like played by Stuart Damon) could come home and Monica would have a honey. Storylines for the Quartermaines….

It should have been Erika , not Donna Mills as Madeline on GH- after all, Erika speaks German (her family is Austrian). Perhaps it’s not too late to replace Donna with Erika- imagine her and Kathleen Gati cussing each other out in German!! Maybe she could play Elizabeth’s yet-to-be seen mother (of course, GH would need to get Richard Dean Anderson back as Jeff Webber!).

I so miss my OLTL characters…..Kiki,Franco, and Silas just don’t do it for me.
That being said….Erika could come to GH and play a Victoria Lord – esque character.
Maybe she could be Franco’s patroness.
Erika and Roger’s on screen relationship is bar none.
I would really love to see her back on the small screen soon.

I would love to see GH and OLTL together as one two hour show. It would, of course, require one very large set but it would still be less expensive (for the cheap, greedy ABC) than two separate sets on two different coasts. Other than GH, ABC’s daytime lineup is a total bore!

I love her, she’s pretty kind in her words towards Prospect Park – I watched every episode of ONE LIFE as an on-line presentation, and while some shows were too saturated with dancing and loud music, some shows were coming along as the show was finding it’s proper footing on-line. I wish I could be as generous towards PP but I just don’t feel they had all their Ducks lined up in a row, or bit off more than they could chew. It’s a shame that due to all the legal entaglements, the character of Victoria Lord Bucchanan cannot go over to General Hospital. So, if I had a choice as to where I would like to see Erica Slezak appear as a new character I would have to pick DAYS OF OUR LIVES. My reasoning for this is that it seems to be more of a traditional soap – maybe, if people believe in miracles, some day we may see a new inception of One Life (and All My Children) but that seems to be a distant dream at the moment. Would be interested to hear the comments of Agnes Nixon, creator of both OLTL and AMC. She has been uncharacterisically mute throughout this entire legal deliberation between abc-tv and Prospect Park.

I loved oltl. I miss it. I think it should be revived again on tv. But that won’t happen. I would hate to see anyone return on gh. I think gh and abc were the evil behind the demise of oltl. I don’t watch abc anymore, I haven’t since they cancelled oltl and amc. I do wish ms. Slezak all the best in her future and everyone else at oltl.

I would really like to see Erika Slezak On General Hospital!!!! She will always be my favorite soap actress.. I would like to see her as Viki .. But if she didn’t that would be alright with me also.. Just seeing her on t.v. again would be great!

hi It’s steve djscooter….I’m going to be visiting Las Vegas Nv.. around August 17 2014…I always wantned to be on the ABC daytime soaps …..I have watched since I was 18. all 3 after my mother past away…Erika Slezak / is like a mom to me

I’d love to see Erika on DOOL,too. But not in a recast. Kate has never mentioned whether or not her parents,Lucas’ maternal grandparents,are still alive. So,why not have Erika play Kate’s mom? Or give Maggie or Caroline a new bestie or a rival for Maggie over Victor…or,going back to ES playing Kate’s mom,someone who captures Stephano’s eye,setting up a rivalry there.

A long ago rival of Maggies was Linda Anderson who wanted Maggies husband Mickey…Linda is also the biological mother of Maggies adopted daughter Melissa…the original actress, Margaret Mason, who played Linda is deceased…Elaine Princi played Linda for a couple of years in the 80s…ironical, Elaine played Dr. Kate Winograd on Days years earlier and was Bill Hortons mistress…the show never reveal if Kate Roberts is this same Kate…as you know Kate Roberts had an affair with Bill and Bill is the father of her son Lucas so it would be my guess this is a different Kate and Bill had that affair off camera…sorry for going off subject…it would be interesting to see Linda comeback(maybe with Erika in that role) and once again be Maggies rival but this time for Victor…i still feel she would make a fine Laura…Erika does resemble Susan Flannery who played the part in the 60s to 70s, and it would be even greater if her ex oltl costar Jerry Ver Dorn played her husband Bill!!!

I loved Erika Slezak in OLTL and would like to see her on General Hospital.
I would also like to say that the loud music, to my mind, does nothing to lend itself for effect except when the stars are not speaking. I love GH and have watched for 40 years at least but it is getting worse where the music is so lound you cannot hear the stars especially when they are speaking softly. Let them play loud in between the speaking parts. I may have to stop watching because it is really annoying to me. I have seen where others agree with me.

No it would be an awful mistake. She needs a new job in prime time like Susan Lucci did with Devious Maids. Maybe could do a Broadway show, I think she should simply retire. I truly believed Slezak should have left the show years ago and gone on to do films like most soap stars do. Also I don’t think GH is going to be on much longer because the soaps are dying.

Search

Video of the Day

The Young and the Restless is gearing up for its 45th anniversary the week of March 26th, with this blast from the past look featuring several of former cast members who are making a return. Check it out below via these retro clips, and let us know who you are looking forward to seeing back in GC? Leave a comment »